Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has praised fringe striker Marc Guiu after the teenage forward responded positively to a series of stern warnings over his training performances.
Maresca, known for his no-nonsense approach, has seen his attacking options stretched this season due to injuries to talisman Cole Palmer and summer signing Liam Delap.
The absences contributed to a tough spell in the Premier League, including losses to Manchester United and Brighton, though the Blues bounced back with victories over Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
And Maresca’s hard-line approach appears to have paid dividends, with Guiu scoring the opener in a commanding 5-1 Champions League win over Ajax on Wednesday (October 23).
Maresca pleased with Guiu’s progress
Maresca believes his candid feedback has transformed the young striker’s attitude in training.
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“I had a chat with Marc two weeks ago,” said Maresca.
“I told him I didn’t like the way he was training and he needed to change. It changed and he got the chance.
“He was not training well, in all the ways. I don’t know why, but that’s sometimes the way with young ones and you need to go slowly with them.
“Since we chatted, it is top and fantastic and he is working very well.”
Guiu has yet to earn a Premier League start this season but has made impactful substitute appearances against Liverpool and Forest, with Joao Pedro preferred to lead the line instead.
When asked if Guiu is now ready to start in the Premier League, Maresca was unequivocal.
“Absolutely, yes. He is ready to start,” the Italian added
Summer signing Delap has recently returned to training but is not yet ready for first-team action following a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since August.
Delap’s injury was what initially prompted Chelsea into an emergency recall for Guiu from his loan at Sunderland after just three matches.
Chelsea next host Guiu’s former loan club Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (October 25).
